Some families are one emergency away from falling behind and not being able to catch up, and this can be especially true and devastating over the holidays. All families need and deserve access to a warm house this winter and uninterrupted utility services. WIC Can Helpconnect families with resources for financial assistance with utility bills - energy, water, telephone, and internet service - as well as saving energy to reduce costs.

Holiday Wellness

It is important to take a break now and then. This holiday season, Nonprofit AF lets you know How to quiet your overthinking mind enough to enjoy your days off. For the many of us who have children, quieting the mind can be tricky, so check out these 10 Travel Activities for Kids that won't break the bank, and just might keep the fighting and whining to a minimum. Last but certainly not least, we love to eat all of those decadent foods, scrumptious desserts, and high carb meals over the holidays, but we also try to do what's best for our bodies, so check out the CDC's 5 Healthy Eating Tips for the Holidays, and know that we will be with you in solidarity!

Did someone share this with you? Sign up here to get the CWA Flash directly!

Policy

Over the Top! Public Charge Comment Campaign

Over 215,000 comments were delivered to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in opposition to the harmful and discriminatory public charge proposal. The comment period is now closed. Strong work to the individuals, businesses and organizations that submitted comments on public charge, provided education in their workplaces and communities, created news and media and contributed in numerous ways to the effort. Remember, the proposed rule has not been finalized. The DHS must review and respond to every issue presented in the comments, which could take months. Listen for news updates and check the Protecting Immigrant Families Campaign website.

Federal Funding - Expect Continuing Resolutions

The final Farm Bill conference report was filed the evening of Dec. 10. On Dec. 11, the Senate passed the conference report, 87-13 and on the 12th the House passed the bill 369-47. Ultimately the increased work requirements and other harmful proposals were dropped, and SNAP was protected, but USDA may release a regulation that reduces state waivers for work requirements.The bill is now headed to the White House for the President's signature. On the federal funding issues, tension has increased as the Dec. 21 deadline for partial government shutdown is only days away with the administration holding on the demand for funding for a border wall, Democrats remaining firm on a focus on border security and not a wall, and Republicans scrambling for direction. What would it look like for federal services and the employee impact, NPR provides a short summary.

Federal Farm Bill and Budget

The final Farm Bill conference report was filed the evening of Dec. 10. On Dec. 11, the Senate passed the conference report, 87-13 and on the 12th the House passed the bill 369-47. Ultimately the increased work requirements and other harmful proposals were dropped, and SNAP was protected, but USDA may release a regulation that reduces state waivers for work requirements.The bill is now headed to the White House for the President's signature. On the federal funding issues, tension has increased as the Dec. 21 deadline for partial government shutdown is only days away with the administration holding on the demand for funding for a border wall, Democrats remaining firm on a focus on border security and not a wall, and Republicans scrambling for direction. What would it look like for federal services and the employee impact, NPR provides a short summary.

Plans are underway for another memorable annual conference April 28-May 1, 2019! Your curriculum planning team has been hard at work and will share the agenda in January. In the meantime, please share all of your great ideas on how to best provide services in Local Agency Sharing on our new website! You can also find conference registration, hotel reservation information, and sign your team up for Wave Catchers Trivia Night (more information coming soon). Our 27th annual conference will be engaging, exciting, and full of fresh concepts and ideas. Schedule meetings with peers, network with new partners, move and groove with fun physical activities, browse and interact with new products and opportunities at our popular tradeshow, and leverage this important time together to grow. More will be revealed in the new year and we can't wait to see you!

Culture of Caring - That's WIC

CWA is pleased to report that donors from 18 states provided $5,700 to support WIC staff who lost their homes or are on long term evacuation from this season's fires. Big shout out to NWA, for announcing the fundraiser in the Monday Morning Report and boosting the effort. The outpouring of support, donations, kind words and acts of selflessness, is testimony to the abiding culture of caring we have for our WIC colleagues, families and communities.

CNC Scholarship Applications Open

The California Nutrition Corps (CNC) Scholarship applications are posted. WIC employees also working toward a bachelors or advanced degree in nutrition, public health or related field, or their dietetic internship are invited to apply. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2019 and awards will be announced Mar. 15, 2019.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says schools need more flexibility in serving meals that kids will eat, in a statement announcing a rule that is set to be published later this month. The rule will give administrators more leeway in serving up white breads, biscuits, tortillas and white pastas by requiring that only half of the grains served in school meals each week be whole-grain rich. Currently schools are only allowed to serve whole grain-rich breads and pastas unless they get a waiver. In addition, the administration is putting the brakes on the targets developed during the Obama administration to cut back on sodium. Advocates, including the American Heart Association, are critical of the changes. Kids in the U.S. consume an average of 3,387 mg of sodium per day, significantly exceeding 2,300 mg daily limit recommended by the federal dietary guidelines.

Children's Physical Activity Declines Starting at Age 6

A new study of 600 children has found that the decline begins as early as age 6, younger than experts had expected. After adjusting for body mass index, the scientists found that average time spent in physical activity declined by about 75 minutes a day by the time the children were 11. Light physical activity declined by 45 minutes a day, and moderate to vigorous activity, which remained steady until age 8, declined an average of 31 minutes a day by age 11. Only 63 percent of 11-year-olds were getting the recommended 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous exercise, compared with 82 percent of 6-year-olds. Boys got more moderate to vigorous exercise than girls, and girls more light activity than boys, but the overall decline in exercise was sharper in boys.

Relationship Between Poverty and Obesity is New

There is plenty of evidence showing that poverty and obesity are related, but that's a relatively new trend - only about 30 years old, according to a new study, which shows that since 1990, the correlation between household income and obesity rate has grown steadily, from virtually no correlation to a very strong correlation by 2016. In the decade from 2004 through 2013, obesity increased about one percent on average among the top 25 wealthiest U.S. counties. Averaged among the 25 poorest U.S. counties, the obesity increase for that decade was more than 10 percent. Researchers speculate that high-fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient in processed foods beginning in the 1970s, may play a role in the increase.

Resources

WIC Works! Spread the Word!

Everyday there are great stories about California WIC benefits and services and the impact on individuals and families. Now you can not only enjoy stories, but share some with your friends, community connections and partnerships. California Dept. of Public Health WIC has just released some new stories, and provides info on how to download them and use on your media.

Influenza (flu) is now widespread, resulting in many severe illnesses. It is not too late to protect the mothers you serve and their children against flu! The California Department of Public Health urges WIC offices to promote flu vaccination by undertaking the following activities: Strongly recommend flu vaccine to all clients 6 months of age and older, especially pregnant women who are very vulnerable to flu complications: "A flu shot is the best way to protect you and your family from flu. Let's find a place where you can get vaccinated." Referrals: For women with Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans (MCPs), the member services number is located on the back of the Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card. For women with Medi-Cal Fee-For-Service: call 1-800-541-5555 (or 916-636-1980 if calling from a non-California area code). For more information about flu, visit the CDPH influenza web page.

Breastfeeding Promotion Materials

Philadelphia's Department of Public Health, Division of Maternal, Child, and Family Health has developed resources aimed at breastfeeding mothers that feature the phrase "Feeding your baby is normal." They are available to download for free. These materials may be useful to WIC clinics and other offices to use or adapt, especially those on a tight budget. Resources are available in English and Spanish and include postcards, posters, and an informational brochure to distribute to new moms.

mPINC Survey Update

The CDC's 2018 national survey of Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) has launche!. Screening calls are made on a rolling basis by Battelle Health and Analytics, on behalf of the CDC. Please share this information with your contacts in local hospitals and partners who may wish to reach out to hospitals in their communities to encourage participation in the mPINC survey. This data has been helpful to states, including CA in improving maternity care practices. To learn more about the mPINC survey, visit the website: www.cdc.gov/mpinc.

Public Comment Opportunity - Proposed Healthy People 2030 Objectives

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released the proposed objectives for Healthy People 2030. Healthy People focuses on critical health promotion and disease prevention topics. Because stakeholders have indicated a desire for a more specific and targeted initiative in the next decade, Healthy People 2030 will be a streamlined set of national health objectives guiding the Nation in efforts to improve health. While this translates to a smaller set of objectives, Heathy People 2030 will continue to represent critical public health priorities by addressing the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and driving action at the national, state, and local levels. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is soliciting written comments regarding the Healthy People 2030 objectives. The public comment period will be open through January 17, 2019.